Yemen offensive elevates enigmatic Houthi commander's standing
By Michael Georgy, Jana Choukeir and Maha El Dahan DUBAI, Sept 16 - AbdulMalik al-Houthi, an elusive figure who commands a battle-hardened force, scored his biggest military victory in years when his Iran-aligned Houthi militant group swept through Yemen's Red Sea coastline and tightened their grip on a vital shipping waterway, rattling oil superpower Saudi Arabia.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, a mysterious commander leading a skilled group in Yemen's Red Sea, orchestrated a significant military triumph recently. This surge in power has allowed the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group to exert influence over the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a crucial shipping lane. The offensive, marked by attacks on Saudi Arabia, has positioned the Houthis to potentially halt international trade through this vital conduit.
Despite years of relentless airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition during Yemen's civil war, al-Houthi's fighters have grown into a formidable force of tens of thousands, equipped with advanced weaponry like drones and ballistic missiles. The 2022 UN truce, although unsuccessful in achieving a lasting peace, halted the heavy fighting.
Al-Houthi's group later joined forces with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, further asserting their strategic importance in the Middle East. As the group's leader, al-Houthi has become Iran's most resilient Arab ally, surpassing the influence of Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian group Hamas. Known for his defiance, al-Houthi threatened military action against US and Israeli retaliation during the Gaza war, vowing to stand firm against American and Israeli-Zionist tyranny.
Al-Houthi's identity remains shrouded, as no foreign officials have met him in person, and he communicates through a secure video link from his stronghold in Sanaa. The civil war, primarily a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands killed, the economy devastated, and millions facing hunger.
Al-Houthi claims his movement is combating corruption and regional aggression, while Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of arming and training the Houthis, a claim Tehran denies.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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